Ventura County Agricultural Summit Highlights Hands-On Learning and Future of Farming
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — Educators, students, farmers, and community leaders gathered Friday for an agricultural summit focused on connecting young people to farming, food systems, and future career opportunities.
One of the event’s standout moments featured local beekeeper Eduardo Flores, owner of Ventura Bee Rescue, who introduced attendees to the world of bees through a protected observation hive. Flores, who calls himself a “Bee Wrangler,” said the display offers a rare chance for people to safely see pollinators up close.
“A lot of people don’t get to see bees up close,” Flores said. “Observation hives like this are a great opportunity… to see them in a safe, protected way without worrying about getting stung.”
Organizers say experiences like these are key to sparking curiosity—especially at a time when classrooms are increasingly reliant on screens and technology.
Ventura County Farm to School intern Samantha Cayetano emphasized the importance of hands-on learning.
“We need to nurture curiosity and not try to destroy it,” Cayetano said. “In a world with iPads and technology and AI, it can be easy to just show a screen—but it’s important for students to actually learn.”
The Farm to School program aims to bridge the gap between classrooms and agriculture. Its mission, organizers say, is to bring students onto farms, introduce farmers into classrooms, and integrate agriculture into school environments.
Executive Director Anna Jackson said school gardens, in particular, offer students a wide range of learning opportunities.
“There are so many amazing experiences kids can have in a school garden,” Jackson said. “They engage with science, math, and language in hands-on ways.”
Beyond education, the summit also explored innovation in agriculture and the need to rethink how food is produced. Nova Farming President Rizpah Bellard highlighted the importance of diversifying food production across different regions.
“You can’t create all the food for the world in one location,” Bellard said. “We have to think about what it looks like to produce food in other spaces and create opportunities globally.”
The event featured more than 20 speakers and seven hands-on workshops, giving attendees insight into both traditional and emerging agricultural practices.
Foothill Tech High School teacher Emily Hunt said the summit revealed new opportunities for students.
“I learned there are quite a few jobs in Ventura County in agriculture,” Hunt said. “And they need more young people to get involved.”
Rio School District Farm Manager Edgar Espinoza said awareness around nutrition and food quality is growing—and education is key.
“People are starting to realize that good food is very important,” Espinoza said. “And it starts with the kids.”
Organizers say the summit is part of a broader effort to inspire the next generation to engage with agriculture—both in the classroom and beyond.
